mexec uses COVID grant to assist industry job seekers

With companies across the industry forced to let staff go, Marilyn Jones knew that 2020 was going to be a challenging year as a recruiter.

The effects of the pandemic had increased the number people looking for work but with companies downsizing or implementing hiring freezes, there was a severe shortage in the number of roles that she had available to fill. The scales had tipped.

“In the depths of the pandemic, we were overwhelmed with enquiries from people wanting their CV re-written, or in some cases written, as well as help looking for a new role. I really felt for these people. Some of them had been in roles for a very long time and just didn’t know where to start,” said Marilyn, Founder and Director of mexec.

As a specialist recruiter across the biotech, medtech, pharmaceutical and life science sectors, mexec had the capability but not the capacity to be able to help.

“We saw an immediate need to come up with a solution that enabled us to manage the workload, use our industry knowledge and recruitment expertise and get people the outcomes that they needed,” Marilyn continued. “So, we created the mexec jobstrategy™ program.”

Funded by the Victorian Government COVID Business Support Fund, the program essentially trains job seekers in the steps needed to undertake their own effective job search – upskilling the jobseeker and reducing the reliance on a recruiter.

Marilyn Jones & Sue Forrest

Through 1:1 coaching, participants learn how to write their own CV and cover letter, improve their online profile, use their own network to find unadvertised roles, identify a role that’s right for them and learn best practice when applying and interviewing. The program’s design allows it to be suitable for those transitioning to a new role or seeking a career change and will become self-sustaining giving it longevity beyond the COVID-era.

Starting with initial funds from the grant, Marilyn was able to hire staff to develop and manage the program including industry senior executive Sue Forrest. Sue has been sought out to mentor and develop staff of all levels during her roles as CEO and Director in the medical and scientific sectors in research, commercial and not-for-profit entities.

“Without COVID and the grant we wouldn’t have taken this step to develop the program. It also feels good to be able to give back to an industry that has supported us for so long,” Marilyn commented.